Tomorrow is Patriot's Day...this is a huge holiday around Boston with the reenactments of Paul Revere's ride from Boston to Lexington, the confrontation battle of British soldiers & Minutemen on Lexington Green, and the defeat of the Red Coats at Old North Bridge in Concord.
Last fall I made a promise to Chris Surtees to build a knife for his Dad. As I had previously made knives for his sons, I agreed except I wouldn't get back to my forge until after deer season. Chris laughed and understood hunting priorities. I wish I could have given this knife to Chris so he could present it properly to Larry.
Now I needed to add something personal to Larry's knife. Larry sent me a couple of Chris's military badges. I was going to present the knife to Larry at Bear Quest camp in June...but thought it would be fitting to show to Chris's Trad Gang friends on Patriot's Day...Doc
FOLLOW ME
I AM THE INFANTRY!
I am the Infantry--Lord of Battle! For two centuries I have kept our Nation safe, purchasing freedom with my blood. to tyrants, I am the day of reckoning; to the suppressed, the hope for the future. Where the fighting is thick, there am I...I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
I was there from the beginning, meeting the enemy face to face, will to will. My bleeding feet stained the snow at Valley Forge; my frozen hands pulled Washington across the Delaware. At Yorktown, the sunlight glinted from the sword and I, begrimed and battered...saw a Nation born.
Hardship...and glory I have known. At New Orleans, I fought beyond the hostile hour, showed the fury of my long rifle...and came of age. I am the Infantry!
West I pushed with wagon trains...moved an empire across the plains...extended freedom's borders and tamed the wild frontier. I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
I was with Scott at Vera Cruz...hunted the guerrilla in the mountain passes...and scaled the high plateau. The fighting was done when I ended my march many miles from the old Alamo.
From Bull Run to Appomattox, I fought and bled. Both Blue and Grey were my colors then. Two masters I served and united them strong...proved that this nation could right a wrong...and long endure. I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
I led the charge up San Juan Hill....scaled the walls of old Tientain....and stalked the Moro in the steaming jungle still...always the vanguard. I am the Infantry!
At Chateau-Thierry, first over the top, then I stood like a rock on the Marne. It was I who cracked the Hindenburg Line...in the Argonne, I broke the Kaiser' spine...and didn't come back till it was "over, over there." I am the Infantry! FOLLOW ME!
A generation older at Bataan, I briefly bowed, but then I vowed to return. Assaulted the African shore...learned my lesson the hard way in the desert sands...pressed my buttons into the beach at Anzio...and bounced into Rome with determination and resolve. I am the Infantry!
The English channel, stout beach defenses and the hedgerows could not hold me...I jumped into Normandy's shore....broke out at St. Lo, unbent the Bulge...vaulted the Rhine...and swarmed the Heartland. Hitler's dream and the Third Reich were dead.
In the Pacific, from island to island I hopped...hit the beaches and chopped through swamp and jungle...I set the Rising Sun. I am the Infantry!
In Korea, I gathered my strength around Pusan...swept across the frozen Han...outflanked the Reds at Inchon...and marched to the Yalu. FOLLOW ME!
Around the world, I stand....ever forward. Over Lebanon's sands, my rifle steady aimed...and calm returned. At Berlin's gate, I scorned the Wall of Shame. I am the Infantry!
My bayonet....on the wings of power...keeps the peace worldwide. And despots, falsely garbed in freedom's mantle, falter...hide. My ally in the paddies and the forest...I teach, I aid, I lead. FOLLOW ME!
The world's headlines roar when evil men are put to flight, as I descend by parachute into the night. Grenada's students rescued, Noriega's drug dealers imprisoned, Haiti's curse lifted...I lead the way into battle through the darkest nights. I am the Infantry!
I fight from the Sky, over the land, across the sea..through desert sands...to free a Kuwaiti city, across frozen mountains to keep the peace in Balkan lands--I hold the key to peace or war: FOLLOW ME!
Where brave men fight...there fight I. In freedom's cause...I live, I die. From Concord Bridge to Heartbreak Ridge, from the Arctic to the Mekong...The Lord of Battle!
Always ready...then, now and forever. I am the Infantry!
FOLLOW ME!
I AM THE INFANTRY!
The knife is forged 5160 carbon steel with an OAL 10 1/2 inches. The incredible Curly Koa scales were donated by Lin Rhea...very special as Chris's wirehaired Dachshund is named Koa. Finally and Oh so important to me, Shell will be adding her magic with a sheath.
Topic: Patriot's Day...Promise Fulfilled to Chris Surtees (Read 654 times)
